The New York Critics Circle has apologised to Steve McQueen after the Oscar-tipped British director was called "an embarrassing doorman and garbage man" at the organisation's annual awards ceremony on Monday.

McQueen, on hand to pick up the best director prize for 12 Years a Slave, was heckled by CityArts editor Armond White as he took to the stage following an introduction by American singer-songwriter Harry Belafonte. The Critics Circle said it would take disciplinary action against White, who is a prominent critic and a member of the organisation.

"On behalf of the New York Film Critics Circle, I apologise sincerely for the crass bit of heckling Mr McQueen encountered," said chairman Joshua Rothkopf in a statement. "I'm mortified to learn that this was from one of our own members. We are taking disciplinary action."

New York film critic Armond White. Photograph: D Dipasupil/FilmMagic

White reportedly heckled McQueen from his table as the British director accepted the award, according to Variety. "You're an embarrassing doorman and garbage man," he allegedly shouted. "Fuck you. Kiss my ass."

White has denied the allegations. "I was misquoted, lied about," he told the New York Times' Carpetbagger blog on Tuesday. "I didn't yell anything. I was talking among my friends at the table. What I read on the internet today is outrageous …"

In a review, the contrarian critic called 12 Years a Slave "torture porn". McQueen's film continues to receive critical acclaim: it is nominated for the Directors Guild of America's annual prize and on Wednesday it received 10 Bafta nominations, including nods for best director, best film and best actor for Chiwetel Ejiofor.